On Monday, February 21, 2022, the HIRAKU-Global Program (the Program) held its Annual Conference for FY2021 as a completely online event (via Zoom). This event was held with the aim of empowering the next generation of world-class researchers with the leadership skills, knowledge and tools needed for them to maximize and reach their potential, whilst also offering the opportunity for the general public to learn more about the Program and the HIRAKU-Global Researchers (HGRs). In total, 145 people from all over the country participated in this year's Conference.

The day began with the Opening Remarks from Professor ABE Manabu, Executive Vice President of Hiroshima University and Chair of the HIRAKU-Global Operating Council, and was followed by the Outline of the HIRAKU-Global Program.

The Outline was presented by Professor AIDA Misako, Executive Advisor to the President of Hiroshima University and Chair of the HIRAKU-Global Program Management and Evaluation Development committees. Within her presentation, Professor AIDA detailed the features of the Program, introduced the Consortium Mentors, HIRAKU-Global Researchers (1st and 2nd Cohorts), and also mentioned the call for applications for the 3rd HIRAKU-Global Researchers Cohort.

Thereafter, the 1st Cohort of HGRs made their presentations, where they shared the overview of their research, the results they have achieved over the past 12 months or so, and their hopes and plans for their future research. After each presentation, HGRs from the 2nd Cohort asked their colleagues a question regarding their presentation, and additional questions were also received from the audience via Zoom’s Q&A feature.

After a short break, the Scientific Session on “How to become an academic leader?” was held with the Consortium Mentors and HIRAKU-Global Researchers, with the HIRAKU-Global Program Manager, Professor Jorge TENDEIRO, moderating the discussions. Utilizing Vitae’s working document on “Developing the next generation: Guidance and good practice in the leadership development of early career researchers and academics” (*), discussions were undertaken on a diverse range of topics. Each discussion topic began with a HGR sharing their own experiences and/or dilemmas, with the other HGRs and Mentors inputting their own opinions and providing relevant pieces of advice. Given the overall diversity of the HGRs, their unique predicaments, and the level of experience the Consortium Mentors possess, a vast range of interesting and thought-provoking ideas were discussed throughout the session.

After a lunch break, the 2nd Cohort of HGRs made their presentations, in similar fashion to their 1st Cohort colleagues. Furthermore, with the roles reversed from the morning session, the 1st Cohort this time asked their 2nd Cohort colleagues a question regarding their presentation, and once again, additional questions were also received from the audience via Zoom’s Q&A feature.

At the culmination of all of the sessions, the HIRAKU-Global Annual Conference FY2021 was summarized and formally concluded by Professor TODA Takashi, Consortium Mentor and Specially Appointed Professor, Hiroshima University, with his thought-provoking Closing Remarks, and as a result, an eventful day full of insight, knowledge and discussion was smoothly brought to a conclusion.